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BOOK REVIEWS of:
The Screenwriting Formula by Rob Tobin
"When it comes to creating scripts for films and television, professional scriptwriter Rob Tobin's maxim is that 'writing well isn't just a goal, it's a responsibility'. That attitude comes across loud and clear in "The Screenwriting Formula: Why It Works And How To Use It", his deftly written and thoroughly 'user friendly' instruction guide for aspiring screenwriters regardless of the genre they are working in. "The Screenwriting Formula" is nicely organized into three main sections: The Seven Elements (the hero, the flow, enabling circumstances, the opponent, the hero's ally, the life-changing event, jeopardy, combining story elements); The Structure (prologue, act one, act two: parts one and two, act three); The Big Picture (the logline, the outline, high-concept and low-concept stories, a titanic undertaking). Enhanced with the inclusion of two germane appendices (Prewriting Techniques and Adapting Novels to the Screen), "The Screenwriting Formula" is comprehensive, practical, and essential reading for anyone hoping to successfully write a screenplay that will measure up to professional standards and commercial viability."
Midwest Book Review
"I'm an Emmy-winning TV writer who's read hundreds of books about screenwriting and story. Rob Tobin's is simply the best I've ever seen. It's straightforward without being simplistic, and it relates the various elements of story in a way I've never seen before. For example, a lot of books will tell you that the hero has to have a goal and a flaw, but Tobin shows how the two elements have to interact to get a satisfying story. This book should be on every screenwriter's shelf."
Sandy Frank, Emmy-winning television writer
"When talking about top commercial stories with other writers I often mention the "Rob Tobin version of Titanic." This inevitably leads to an engaging discussion. In this little treasure, The Screenwriting Formula: Why it Works, Rob Tobin has explained how Titanic could have been a better script. But don't think his analysis is limited to Titanic, or just to screenplays, or just to fiction. He brilliantly tells authors how to "check your work" to improve the telling of any story. This book is recommended in the outlining and revision stages and in the "between projects" stage. Other authors recognize Tobin's advice as practical and proven. Bravo, Rob Tobin, Bravo. Applause."
Robert Beattie, New York Times bestselling author
"The Screenwriting Formula is not just about how to write a killer screenplay - it also explains the structure that movie executives are looking for, as well as how to transform an idea into a fully-loaded script, packed with action and ready to go. With The Screenwriting Formula, you have everything you need to take you from idea to the big screen."
TheatreBooks.com
"When my agent said, "You should turn your novel into a screenplay", I foolishly said "Sure!" You could see the dollar signs in my eyes, just like in the cartoons. But it was easier recommended than done. After spending hundreds of dollars on screenplay writing books (which are themselves a cottage industry), I finally decided I would do what Tony Robbins calls "expert modeling", that is, learn screenwriting from people who actually wrote and, more importantly SOLD screenplays.
I mean, how many screenplays did Syd Field, Robert McKee, Michael Hauge, Vicki King and all the other 'guru' out there ever sell? They must be too busy counting money from their seminars to write screenplays. Well, that and coming up with artsy-fartsy theories that make your eyes gloss over 5 minutes into the lecture.
I want my knowledge, fast and efficient, and that's where Rob Tobin's "How To Write High Structure, High Concept Movies" comes in. It's a lean 182 page paperback filled with great stuff. Loglines, structure, high concept, characters, conflict, every step in the process, every step in your story is explained here in great detail.
So needless to say, the other screenwriting books, except for Trottier's "The Screenwriter's Bible", Bill Martell's "The Secrets of Action Screenwriting" and Rob's book were donated to the public library."
William Mize, Shamus Award nominee, creator of the Denton Ward and Monty Crocetti mystery series.
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BOOK REVIEWS of:
How to Write High Structure, High Concept Movies
by Rob Tobin
"Rob Tobin’s new book is a must-read guide to writing high concept, structurally foolproof screenplays... (it) takes the mystery out of writing and analyzing scripts... (it) will help you spin your straw stories into golden screenplays."
Peter Bohush, Directors World
"If you want to read a fantastic book about screenwriting, check out, "How To Write High Structure, High Concept Movies."
Howard Meibach, Hollywoodlitsales
"This is the clearest, most compelling book on screenwriting that I have ever come across."
Nick Dunning, British Screenwriting Institute
"It is the most practical, far-reaching and workable book on screen writing that I have ever seen."
Arthur Zapel, Meriwether Publishing
"I used to maintain that a book about writing made as much sense as a car about driving. With Rob Tobin's book 'How To Write High Structure, High Concept Movies,' I will make an exception because this is an exceptional book."
NewEnglandfilm.com
"I feel privileged to have been one of (the book's) first fans."
Chuck Numenorian, Numenorian Films
How To Write High Structure, High Concept Movies (Xlibris/$20.99) is a witty, engrossing, and marvelously-instructive work… Tobin provides perceptive gems on nearly every page--e.g., "It is always the hero's story played out against some larger backdrop." The author is a former script reader and development exec. Now he is giving writing seminars and doing one-to-one coaching.
Charleston Daily News, Reference Section
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